Sophia Parker

Phoebe and I began to search for a new job for me last night. We didn't find anything suitable... yet, but it was just our first attempt. I know we would eventually find something.

On the other hand, today is Friday and I'm on my way to the office, about to quit my job. But first, there was something I needed to do. I thought about this thing alone before I went to bed last night and now I know what I have to do.

Sean is an amazing person and I made a huge mistake yesterday when I turned him down. I can see myself happy with him and he's genuinely interested in me. The whole thing I had with Mr Wilson was a flop. He has moved on and it's time for me to move on too.

I arrived at work and made my way to the elevator.

I will be handing my letter to the HR department on the 8th floor since Mr Wilson is not around for me to give him directly. Maybe they would notify him by email about my resignation.

But before then I went to the 4th floor. I knocked on the door to Sean's office. When he answered I opened the door and walked in.

He was sitting down behind his desk but the moment he saw me, he stood up abruptly. He seemed surprised to see me... but then, why wouldn't he be? After what happened yesterday, he probably wouldn't have expected me to be back. At least, not so soon.

"Hi." I said awkwardly.

"Sophia... I... I wasn't expecting you today."

I smiled.

"About yesterday," he started, "I am terribly sorry about what happened. My actions were completely out of line and I shouldn't have done that to you. Are you able to forgive me? And is there any way we can put it behind us?"

He sounded so apologetic which made me want to forgive him, even though he never offended me in the first place.

"Oh Sean!" I walked towards him, placing my bag on his desk before I wrapped my arms around him. He froze but hugged me back eventually. "There's nothing to forgive."

"You're not upset?"

"Of course not. If anyone should apologize, it's me. I'm sorry for the way I acted afterwards."

He hugged me back more tightly this time.

"I'm so relieved." He said, pulling back. "I also have some news."

"Me too, but you first."

"Adam called. He asked of you." He said.

My heart stopped beating for three seconds before it started to function normally again.

He asked of me??? I thought he had completely forgotten about me?!

I was undeniably happy to hear that Mr Wilson called to ask of me. A part of me also wished that it wasn't work related. Maybe he just wanted see me, find out if I was okay, or hear my voice...

"What did he say?" I said, sounding more desperate than I intended.

"Well... it was yesterday, right after you left. He needed you to be a coordinator at an event he was attending but since you weren't available he found a substitute.'

"Oh." I said flatly.

Firstly, I felt extremely stupid to think he actually called to know about my wellbeing!

Secondly, I was mad because he only called because he needed me to do work, not because he actually cares about me!

I really really really just wanted to scream!!! Why do I still have hope for this man?! Why do I still care so much?!

"Are you okay?" Sean asked.

I nodded my head, unable to hide the sadness written all over my face. I didn't even try to hide it. All I can think of right now is getting as far away from Mr Wilson as possible after I quit. I don't even mind moving back to Virginia.

"Sophia, what is going on between you and Adam?" He asked. "You guys never talk these days. And your reaction to what I just told you right now is... strange."

"Nothing is going on Sean." I took a deep breath. He looked at me like he didn't believe me. Even from my tone, I wouldn't believe myself.

"You said you also have news. What was it?"

"Oh... Um... I- I've decided t- to resign." I got out shakily.

"What?" His eyes grew wide. "You're leaving? Why?" He held onto me again, as if to not let me go.

"B- because its for the best. I d- don't feel wanted here anymore and I feel the need to be in a better place." He looked at me for some seconds, trying to understand before squinting his eyes as if coming to realisation.

"This is about Adam isn't it?"

I didn't say anything. I couldn't. And that only confirmed the answer for him.

"Do you love him?" He asked.

What?

I was completely shocked by his question! I wasn't expecting anything like that. Where did he get that from? Is it so obvious? I couldn't answer because I knew the truth and I was ashamed to say it. At the same time, I couldn't say I didn't because I'll be lying to myself and he would know too. I kept quiet and again, he took my silence as a confirmation.

"I always knew there was something going on with you and him."

"What are you talking about Sean?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about Sophia. From the way he looks at you, I can tell. He loves you Sophia, and I don't blame him. You're very beautiful, and attractive, and you have an amazing personality. I feel amazing when I'm with you and I can be myself around you. I totally understand why Adam is head over heels for you." He let go of me. "Whatever happened between you two, I'm sure it can be fixed. But please, don't resign." He begged.

"I have to. I've already made my decision and that's final. This whole thing with Mr Wilson is crazy and I just want to leave it all behind. I want to start over, with somebody new, someone like YOU."

"Me?" He shrieked.

"Yes." I stepped closer to him and put my arms around his neck. "Sean you're amazing. And I'ld love to try things out with you. You're better for me than him. I know it."

"No Sophia. I'm not." He pulled me hands away from him and gave them back to me before stepping away.

"Why do you say so? Look at the beautiful time we spent together, you were so good to me. You never for once made me feel like I don't exist."

"Is that how he makes you feel?"

"Yes!"

He shook his head. "You're wrong Sophia. Adam really loves you. And its obvious that you love him to. I'm sorry, I don't want to ruin the picture."

"You're not ruining anything because there's nothing to ruin. Mr Wilson hasn't even contacted me since the day we got back from Michigan and that was over a month ago. He's moved on and I have to move on too. I need to leave so he can be comfortable around his office once again. In case you haven't figured it out yet, he's avoiding me by not coming to work. He sends everyone emails apart from me."

"That's crazy Sophia. Why would he not come to work because of you. If he didn't want to see you again he would have conveniently fired you."

"He doesn't want to fire me because my father's surgery has me indebted and he knows it!" I moved closer to him again. "Please Sean, I don't want to keep wasting all my emotions on one person who doesn't seem to care anymore."

I looked at him intensely but he still seemed unsure.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and stood on my tiptoes to kiss him. It seemed like his doubts cleared and he kissed me back. He held me closer and inclined his face towards mine. For a long time we kissed, my fingers gripped his hair, pulling him closer but he pulled back. Breathing deeply, he remained astonished by the abundance of what just happened.

"Sophia, we shouldn't..." The doubts came back.

"Please Sean. I want this. I want you."

"I'm not the one for you."

"I think you're wrong." I pulled him to me again and he didn't hesitate to kiss back. He was so bad at resisting, I laughed in my head.

This time his hands moved to my waist. He squeezed gently, indicating for me to jump. I did and he picked me up, placing me on his desk. I don't know how far this was going to go but I loosened his tie and threw it across his office. I ran my fingers down his hard chest. He was just as big as Mr Wilson, I don't know who was hotter.

Ew! Stop comparing!

Sean lightly squeezed my thighs where my skirt had risen up, and he pulled me closer to the edge of his desk.

"You drive a man crazy Sophia. Your beauty alone hurts." I blushed at his compliment.

"Don't stop kissing me." I said and immediately he bent back my head across his arm and connected his lips to mine once more, softly in a way that made me cling to him as the only solid thing in the world. I parted my lips, allowing him to go deeper and he did.

He pulled back suddenly again and I groaned.

"Please," he begged. "We should stop."

"Why? I thought this was what you've wanted all week?" I reminded him of how he confessed yesterday that he'd been wanting to kiss me for a while now.

"Yes, that was before I knew about you and Adam."

"I thought you said you've always known"

"Yes but I didn't know that you two were in love. Adam is a good friend of mine. He would kill me if he finds out about this. Remember, he almost murdered me the first time we tried to go on a date."

I had always admired Sean's well/mannered behaviour (contrary to Mr Wilson's arrogance) but now he is being too prissy, it's frustrating.

"I wouldn't let him do anything to you Sean. Besides, if he does he'll have to face me afterwards. And I'm sure he wouldn't want to do anything I wouldn't like."

"Exactly. Do you know why that is? Because he loves you and wouldn't want to hurt you. So why do you want to hurt him?" I rolled my eyes at him.

"He has ignored me for so long Sean. That alone is hurtful! Do your ave any idea what I've been going through for the past month?!" I practically screamed.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Calm down." He held my shoulders. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Are you referring to being with you or quitting my job? Because the answer to both is Yes."

"Okay, okay." He hugged me. "Do you know where you're going from here?" I'm sure he was referring to my next job.

"Not yet."

"Ok." He pulled back slightly to look at me and also adjust my skirt like a gentleman that he is. "I can help, maybe work something out for you."

"Really?" I smiled. "That'll be grea-"

We were interrupted by his phone ringing. He reached for it at his back pocket and checked the caller ID. He looked at me cautiously.

"Who is it?" I asked.

"It's Adam." He said and my heart stopped.

Crap! Why does it keep doing that!

Sean cleared his throat before answering. "Adam. Hey, how's it going?"

I couldn't hear what Mr Wilson was saying so I just followed up from Sean's replies.

"Oh really, that's great... Yeah... I could do that... No problem, Just let me know... Okay... Later."

"Since when does his phone work?" I asked with my eyebrows raised. I remember his calls never going through, I haven't even tried it in a while.

"Since always. He's going to be here today by 8."

"What?" I started freaking out but then I realised, I would have gone home before then. "See, he's avoiding me. I'm going to quit right now." I got down from Sean's desk.

"Wait! I think you should do it when he gets here. That way its more direct. You're not afraid to face him are you?"

"No." I lied. I was scared as hell.

"Good."

I crossed my fingers hoping I would be able to handle his reaction.

***

"Hey Phoebe." I whispered from behind her cubicle, startling her.

"Oh!" She jumped. "Sophia, it's you. Have you done it yet?"

"No... Mr Wilson is going to be in the office by 8 so I'ld do it then. I was wondering if you could wait with me?"

"Sure, I'll wait. So what's up? What have you been doing?"

Oh if only she knew!

I smiled, not knowing whether I should tell her. But then she is my close friend and theres nothing that I don't usually tell her, except some exclusive things that have happened between Mr Wilson and I.

Which is over now! I reminded myself.

"I was on the 4th floor." I said confidently.

"Why..." She dragged.

"Sean and I just had a make-out sesh." I whispered.

From her facial expression, I could tell she didn't seem too happy about it.

"What?" I looked at her innocently.

"I thought you said you couldn't work with him anymore and you were going to quit?" She sounded slightly pissed.

"Well... yeah. But because I'm quitting doesn't mean I wouldn't get to see him. In fact, I think its better that way because then we wouldn't be co-workers. I thought about it last night, it wouldn't be wrong to date Sean if were not working together."

"Ugh!"

"What? You don't like him?"

"No."

"Why?"

"I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know? He's sweet, good-looking, caring, sexy-"

"Okay! Is that why you're into him?"

"Not really. He just a really good guy you know, with a pure heart. You hardly find someone like that these days you know."

"I know." She murmured.

"He was so gentle when he held me." I said dreamily but Phoebe's face scrunched up in disgust. "What is the matter with you? Aren't you happy for me?

"No Sophia, I'm not. He's not your type."

"Whats is my type?" I asked. She was acting really really really weird now.

"Mr Wilson is your type."

"Gosh! Why does everyone keep saying that!" I literally wanted to rip out my hair. "Mr Wilson and I are not compatible, Sean and I are, and I'm going for it. I don't care whether you like it or not!"

I didn't even realised that I had raised my voice. I saw Phoebe looking at me in a way I've never seen before. It was so strange. It was like... like... Envy!

"Look, I don't think I can wait till 8. I have to be up really early tomorrow because I'm going out and I have a massive pile of work to do right now which you are distracting me from." She smiled. "So I guess, I'll see you later?"

"Phoebe I'm sorry for shouting." I tried apologising.

"Its cool. I'm busy right now. We'll talk another time."

"Okay."

She turned back to her work and I walked away. I felt so bad because I knew she was upset with me. But why though? Maybe because I raised my voice. And why does she disapprove of me and Sean being together? Its not like I needed her approval or anything, its just weird.

I went up to my office to relax. I didn't want to go back to Sean again because I don't want to distract him. Maybe I should call Lily instead and tell her what's going on. She'll be more understanding.

I dialled Lily's phone and she picked on the 3rd ring.

"Sophia, how are you love darling?"

"I'm fine thanks. I really need to talk to you, are you busy?"

"Yeah but I can spare a few minutes."

"Okay. Sean and I kissed and I liked it... a lot."

There was an awkward silence for a few seconds before she spoke up.

"Well... Okay? But what about your boss? Adam Wilson."

"What about him?" I sighed. Not Lily too!

"I don't know... I just thought you guys were soulmates or something. Why are you kissing Sean?"

"I'm not allowed to kiss him?"

"Uhhh... No?" She said half sure.

"Wow. Thanks for your help Lily." I was about to end the call.

"Okay okay okay! Wait! I don't know what to say. I'm just rooting for you and your boss thats all. Sean seems nice but I'm not feeling him for you. You and Adam make a sexier m-"

"Ok! Once again, thanks for your help Lily!"

"You're most definitely welcome. Have a nice day."

"You too." With that I ended the call.

Everyone is saying the same thing but I don't care. I'm going to do what I want to do, what I think is right... and Sean is right.

***

Adam Wilson

"Tell him I want and invoice by Monday morning or he can forget about the whole deal! I don't like dealing with clients that don't follow up." I hung up.

That company is so frustrating, I think I'm going to stop contracting with them! What a pain in the behind!

I pulled up into my office building. I haven't been here in a while, I just came to get some documents from my drawer. I parked my car at my reserved spot and went up to my floor using the elevator. The office was practically empty and I was glad. I didn't feel like being in a busy environment right now nor even seeing anybody. I just wanted to grab some things and get out.

I went into my office and switched on the lights. I looked around for a while, feeling nostalgic. There was no time for that. I needed to find a file quickly and leave.

I sat down behind my desk and started rummaging through my drawers one by one. The document I was looking for was a tiny sheet of paper, which would be very hard to find. I just needed patience.

After about 20 minutes of searching, I found it.

"Aha!" I exclaimed.

What was left now was to copy it and keep the original in its file. It feels so weird doing all these things by myself. Now-a-days I've noticed how lazy I've become from people always doing irrelevant stuff for me.

I put on my copier and waited for it to boot when I heard a knock on the door.

I jumped back from surprise.

Who could be knocking on my door by this time of the day? And how did they know I was here?

I waited to see if it wasn't just my imagination and the person knocked again. It wasn't.

I was so freaked out right now but I wasn't scared. Who the hell was that?

"Come in." I called out.

The door knob turned slowly and the door opened. Someone came in and I looked to see who it was.

It was HER!

********************************